San Mateo County Libraries is linking up with library systems across California, Washington and Oregon for One Book, One Coast—the largest book club on the West Coast!
Beginning April 1, join us as we collectively read George Takei's graphic novel They Called Us Enemy, a groundbreaking memoir that reflects on an important piece of United States history. Make sure to mark your calendars for our upcoming One Book, One Coast programming happening at our libraries.
The Largest Book Club on the West Coast
“Thinking about it now, it was those after-dinner talks with my father that informed so much of my worldview, and instilled in me a desire to share our story with as many people as possible.” —George Takei
Launched by the Los Angeles County Library, opens a new window, One Book, One Coast brings together library communities for a shared reading program that centers literacy, learning, community and civil discourse.
Our selection for this year, They Called Us Enemy by George Takei, illustrates his extraordinary, courageous story of being forcibly incarcerated with his family as a young child due to Executive Order 9066. He shows the reader what he saw, and how he continued to process this historic event as an actor, activist and public speaker in the decades that followed.
Join us as we embark on this reading journey together! Unlimited digital copies of They Called Us Enemy will be available on the Libby app for San Mateo County Libraries cardholders—no holds or wait times required.
Additionally, limited physical giveaway copies of They Called Us Enemy will be available at some One Book, One Coast programs and events.
Community Events for One Book, One Coast
Across our libraries, we're hosting opportunities for all ages to connect with the themes of They Called Us Enemy. Through Taiko drumming performances, author readings, lectures, discussions and hands-on activities, we're offering many different ways to engage with this impactful story and the history surrounding it.
One Book, One Coast, will conclude with a virtual author talk featuring George Takei on Sunday, May 31, from 2:00-4:00 PM. Sign up to receive your virtual livestream link or join us for an in-person watch party at Belmont Library. (Please note: This presentation is a livestreamed, virtual event—George Takei will not be physically present in the library.)
Discover all of our upcoming events for One Book, One Coast.
George Takei's Experience With Executive Order 9066
“I searched all my civics books and history books, but there was nothing about the internment of Japanese Americans.” —George Takei
Award-winning actor, activist and author George Takei was four years old when President Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, opens a new window, leading to the rushed incarceration and property seizure of approximately 122,000 people of Japanese ancestry living in the United States. Decades later, the United States government would call the order unjustified and militarily unnecessary, but its history lives on in Bay Area communities.
San Mateo County residents have felt the impact of Executive Order 9066 in many ways, from Japanese American residents who were incarcerated, the homes and business they were forced to leave behind and the direct and cultural descendants of those incarcerated. Locally within the Bay Area, many Japanese Americans were forcibly relocated to the Tanforan Assembly Center in San Bruno. Today, the Japanese American Citizens League holds a yearly remembrance ceremony in San Mateo, one of many ways residents come together in shared resilience.
George Takei brings openness, honesty and surprising true twists to shed light on a time in our history that many feel is still difficult to discuss today. As part of One Book, One Coast, we hope to continue that conversation together as a community.
If you'd like to learn more, explore these titles inspired by this year's One Book, One Coast.
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